News for the Week of March 6, 2017

Brooks Families:

As an admin team, we are working on increasing our two-way communication with the community. I hope that you enjoy the weekly newsletters from me and the PTO. I also want to encourage more of you to attend our monthly Coffee with Khan because it gives us an opportunity to have some great conversation about students and the service we all provide to them. I will be highlighting how our work connects to the District Vision and Universal Goals in these newsletters so that we can have a common language as a school community. Thanks again for your continued support.

Universal Goal: Every community member feels like a partner in supporting our schools & each & every student.

PTO Meeting (3/6)

Our monthly PTO meeting is this Monday (3/6) at 7pm in the media center. Our Social Workers Ms. Berman and Ms. Olsen will be joining us to talk about the services they provide.

Conversation with Amanda Lewis (3/8)

During this session Dr. Amanda E. Lewis, author of Despite the Best Intentions: Why Racial Inequality Thrives in Good Schools (co-authored with John Diamond), will discuss why racial gaps in educational outcomes persist even in school districts where both good intentions and resources are in abundance. More importantly, we will talk about what schools, school personnel, parents/guardians and community members can do to try and close those gaps and ensure that all of our children reach their full potential.

Register HERE

Universal Goal: Students feel safe & a sense of belonging

Respect Week

We are working hard to teach empathy and respect to our students. To help spread the word and celebrate diversity, we are celebrating all week with Spirit Days!!!

Monday 3/6/17: I Have A Dream Of Respect

Wear PJs/Onesies to School

Presentations during PE classes/Activities during lunch

Tuesday 3/7/17: Stop The R-Word

Wear Red to School

Activities during lunch

Wednesday 3/8/17: Respect Is My Superpower

Wear a Superhero Costume to School

Photobooth During Lunch!

Thursday 3/9/17: Team Up For Respect

Twin with a Friend/Group

Activities during Lunch

Friday 3/10/17: Crush The R-Word

Wear Boots to School

Universal Goal: All students have access to programs & supports to prepare them for success in high school

Base Camp

Great news -- there are still spots available in the Oak Park Education Foundation’s summer BASE camp. Click here to learn more. Note that financial aid / assistance is available for qualified students; reach out to OPEF for details.

The Cooke Young Scholars Program

The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective 5-year pre-college scholarship program for high-performing 7th grade students that provides individualized academic advising and financial support through high school to students with low to moderate income levels.  

The Scholarship provides:

  • an on-staff academic and college advisor
  • funding for summer enrichment programs, supplemental academic classes, tuition for high school and assistance in identifying challenging and suitable academic course load
  • study abroad and community service opportunities
  • lessons to develop music, art or other talents
  • computer and software
  • Special consideration for the Cooke Foundation’s College Scholarship

 Students must:

  • be currently in the 7th grade
  • have earned mostly A's and B's
  • demonstrate financial need (families must have an annual household income under $95,000)
  • demonstrate drive, persistence, leadership, and a desire to help others

The application period opens Feb. 7 through April 5, 2017. Applicants must submit an online application including academic and personal recommendations, essays, report cards, and family information.

Learn More

If you have questions about the program, please contact tammie-stewart@northwestern.edu or 847-491-7127.

Tech Savvy

The fourth annual AAUW Tech Savvy STEM Conference for 6-9th grade girls in Chicagoland, hosted by AAUW Downers Grove Area Branch, will be Saturday March 25th, 8.30 am - 4.00 pm at Triton College, 2000 Fifth Avenue, Building R, River Grove, IL 60171.

Tech Savvy is a daylong science, technology, engineering, and math STEM career conference designed to attract girls in 6–9th grade to these fields and to inform families about STEM education and careers. Application HERE

Yours in education, 

LeeAndra Khan, Principal